FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY STAINING OF NEISSERIA, STREPTOCOCCUS AND VEILLONELLA IN FROZEN SECTIONS OF HUMAN DENTAL PLAQUE

Strains of Neisseria, Streptococcus, and Veillonella were isolated from dental plaque samples and characterized by biochemical tests. Polyvalent antisera against these three groups of oral organisms were found to be both sensitive and specific. When these sera were employed using the indirect fluorescent antibody technique to study frozen sections of Mylar film-bearing dental plaques of varying ages from three subjects, several facts were apparent: Neisseriae were located preferentially in the outer layers of plaque and were proportionately more prominent in younger plaque. Streptococci were randomly distributed throughout plaque of all ages. Veillonellae were located in the deeper layers of plaque and were more prominent in older than in younger plaque samples. These observations are discussed with regard to their potential importance in the development of dental plaque. © 1969.